Kaywyn J. Beswick, R.N./Morrison ARC Blood Drive Coordinator, submitted th is report.
The fourth American Red Cross Blood Drive of 2015 took place on Thursday, July 16, at Morrison United Methodist Church’s Heritage Hall, 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL. The weather was wonderful, with 74 to 77° on the City Hall time/temperature sign all day long. We had the Kiwanis for our sponsor; they organize the July drive every year. We are so grateful to their loyal dependability. The members who help prepare and serve sandwiches, fruit, cookies, and drinks, escorted donors from the donation loungers to the canteen table, served the food to the donors, and unloaded and reloaded the truck were Kris and Bart Bielema, Betty Jo Schmitt, Judy and Nick Becker, Jill Mann, Denise Bramm, Deb Stiefel, Frank Vandermyde, and Ron Finnicum. Thank you so much again, Kiwanis!
The drive brought in 47 generous people who gave their time and life-saving blood. Three first-time donors were Danielle Vance and a husband and wife who did not want their name published. But I know who you are, and I appreciate your coming in. Thanks, Dani, and Mr. and Mrs. D for stepping up to the plate. I applaud your efforts joining the ranks; we hope donating blood becomes a regular habit. We also got the pleasure of meeting my ARC Donor Representative, Janet Jarvis. Welcome aboard, Janet! We are so lucky to have you.
Five great “Twice-As-Nice” men gave double-red-cells, counting as two units. They were Keith Wiersema, Tom DeMay, Smith Gilmore, Dwaine Schroeder, and Ron Shank. Double thanks to these five gentlemen who made up for the five deferrals that we had.
Four pins were distributed that day. The recipients were given the following: a one-gallon pin awarded to a woman who didn’t want her name printed (but I know who you are, and I appreciate you); a three-gallon pin presented to Carolyn Aiken; a nine-gallon pin bestowed on Ron Shank; a 23-gallon-pin will be mailed to Margaret Barr! Yes, you read that correctly, 23-gallon pin! The Red Cross brings pins from one-to-15 gallons for us to give out on the day of the drive. Those who earn higher levels of donation awards need to have their pins sent to them. These four pin recipients have saved 288 lives, donating a grand total of 864 units, give or take 15-to-20 units. Let me explain.
The whole blood donor saves up to three lives, because the one unit is split into a unit of packed red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. The double-red-cell donor saves two lives by giving two units of just packed red blood cells. Those are filtered off and saved for patients, and the rest of their blood products are transfused back into the donor’s arm, via a machine.
Other terrific people who blessed us with their presence and generosity were Kent Stralow, Renee Temple, Norine Urban, Brad Bielema, Renee Vanderlaan, Lynn Reimer, Lorna Temple, Bill Kuehl, Randy Kuehl, Jim Fisher, Ron Finnicum, Marsha Geerts, Steve Geerts, Ryan Sutton, Kristine Honeycutt, Kaywyn Beswick, Marian Dykema, Evan Haag, Pam Pickens, David Gindrich, Tim West, Dick Wieneke, Dean Ufkin, Linda Temple, Callie Bush, Brooke Newman, Nancy Shank, Dave Temple, Joe R. Bielema, Connie Swanson-DeSpain, and seven kind souls who did not want their names printed in the newspaper or on thecity1.com’s website. Again, I know who you are, and I am so appreciative of you all.
Thank you to the ever-gracious Morrison United Methodist Church for allowing us the use of their fine facility. Praise to my many volunteers who always answer the call and offer their time, talent, and kindness for the day, manning stations throughout the blood drive room. They were Marian Dykema, Marcia Haag, Deb Wikoff, Lana Schroeder, Sandy Schroeder, and Marilyn Akker. I could not do these drives without each and every one of you.
I am always in awe of the tremendous out-pouring of goodness that our town and surrounding communities extend to us. I am forever amazed at the exceptional people that I have met while being an ARC Bood Drive Coordinator the last seven years, as well as my Morrison Friends Food Pantry directorship duties the last nine years. I know that I have said it many times. If I die tomorrow, I will die a happy woman.
Please join us at the next ARC blood drive, to be held at Emmanuel Reformed Church’s Christ Center, 202 E. Morris Street, Morrison, on Thursday, September 17. This is a change in the usual location, because the MUMC will be getting ready for their annual rummage sale in Heritage Hall that day. Drive times will be noon to 6:00 p.m. as usual. Bring your friends, spouses, coworkers, and neighbors.
It is an appalling statistic that an estimated 38% of Americans are eligible to give blood, but only 7% actually do. This is so sad. I know there are people who cannot give, due to medications or medical conditions like multiple myeloma, chronic anemia, or cancer. But some who cannot donate come in and volunteer at the drives. This is a fantastic way to help the cause! Consider giving at the next drive.
The need for blood is constant; the gratification of giving is instantaneous. Please give.